Analytical Papers

Cultural Heritage and Interiors

What causes the interiors to change due to inengible cultural aspects of society?
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 2
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

Abstract

Interior spaces reflect the cultural aspects and nature of communities. Dealing with the
integration of traditions in interior design, the reflection of intangible cultural heritage in
tangible heritage and their effects,are the ways to justify the reason of change. This paper
discusses the influence of socio culture and its participation in shaping the interiors from start
till now.

Introduction

Every culture tells the story of its nation. The reflection of practices can be seen vividly through
the tangible heritage for rest of the lives.Cultural heritage is classified into two categories;
intangible and tangible.

Cultural heritage is a set of ideas, characteristics, knowledge, customs and belief developed by
a particular group of people and passed on from generations to generations. These cultural
heritages enable the person to perceive the truthfulness and genuineness of a society of a
particular time and hence give an idea to understand the time period more efficiently.
However, with the passage of time the change in intangible aspects can be observed. With the
advancement of technologies, invention in new material, development of skills and techniques,
formation of new trends, change in law and policies, adoption of new customs; will
automatically lead to the alterations in culture, habits and way of living.

On the other hand, tangible cultural heritage describes physical artifacts, historical buildings,
monuments, books and artworks. Significantly, these intangible attributes do effect in
transforming the tangible environment.
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 3
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

How intangible aspects shapes the/embraces in interior spaces?

Greeks

It dates back when hunger for learning in Greek culture increased and through their extensive
amount of knowledge they led to the many great inventions. All their practices in science,
philosophy, fine arts, geography, astronomy and religious beliefs helped them in developing
their culture and traditions. These practices can be seen vividly in Parthenon.

Parthenon was built to commemorate the victory over the Persian invaders and dedicated to
show gratefulness totheir gods.

historyofinteriordesignsls.blogspot.com

Another example is the invention of technique known as Trompe l’oeil. A French word which
means to deceive the eye. This trickery began as a contest between two Greek painters for the
determination of great artist, Zeuxis and Parrhasius when Zeuxis painteda illusion by painting
grapes and birds tried to peck them. So in order to win the contest Parrhasius painted a more
powerful illusion painting that Zeuxis did not even recognize that the painting was not real. This
technique is then painted in many interiors either to show the structures grand scale by illusion
or to paint imaginary doors, windows and columns and in many other ways as well.

www.royalacademy.org.uk www.en.wikipedia.org
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 4
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

How intangible aspects shapes the/embraces in interior spaces?

Romans

Roman interiors were heavily influenced by Greeks. Sense of proportions, colors, painting and
many other elements were taken from Greeks interior designs. But there are some elements
that took part in defining the Roman’s interior spaces. The discovery of concrete arches and
vaults became the major elements in the development of unique designs of spaces but some
religious practices were still continued and passed down to Romans. The practices to make
building and dedicating them to gods were still there.The best example of this is Pantheon “the
temple of all gods”. A depiction of old practice with the new and unique techniques. The
addition of making oculus and coffered ceiling. Oculus not only allows sun light inside but
Romans linked it symbolically and refer it as the linking of temple to heaven. Similarly, coffered
ceiling was a new invention of technology and used it to reduce the weight of the dome
without compromising the size. But symbolically the rosettes inside the coffers refer to the
stars. By these facts we get to know how Romans linked the concept of heaven, sky (sun and
stars) and earth.

www.khanacademy.org
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 5
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

How intangible aspects shapes the/embraces in interior spaces?

Renaissance

Through revolutionized thought, philosophies and the generation of different cultural, social
and political movements now, at this point, the subject is shifted from religion to secularism.
The focus is more on human and its activities rather than god. Palazzo di Medici describes he
perfect situation of that time. The exterior was kept simple, this is because the outgoings of
political situations and laws according to which the showcasing of extravagant wealth is
forbidden. However, the interior was made comfortable but with eye-catching luxurious
details.Every wall of Magi chapel inside the palazzo is covered with fresco paintings. These
paintings portrays the Medici family and some biblical scenes. But the most important notes is
each and every part of the house speaks about the wealth, status of the family and power of
family.

www.insideinside.org
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 6
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

How intangible aspects shapes the/embraces in interior spaces?

Rococo

A period where interior design was at its peak. In this time period interiors were highly
decorative with motifs, colors and geometrical patterns. It is revolved around playful and lavish
gold color palette, intricate details mostly inspired by nature and designs. But if observe the
reason behind all this ornamentation we find out that these all happened when French king
Louis VIX asked artist to produce more delightful ,lively and nature inspired art works under his
reign. These all art works and interior space reflect the wealth and power of nobility but on
contrary the rest of the society (commoners) were resting their lives in poverty because they
were the only people giving heavy tax to the government. So, that is the reason we see lavish
interiors of palaces and salons.

www.courses.lumenlearning.com www.study.com
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 7
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

How intangible aspects shapes the/embraces in interior spaces?

Modernism

With the advent of new technologies, the invention in new industrial materials, the growth of
industrial cities. Mostly influenced by political environment and social conditions helps in
shaping art, architecture, literature philosophies, science and beliefs. In the opinion of many
artist and stylist the pervious styles and movements did not meet the needs of industrialized
world. The heavy details and bright colors were no longer in fashion and with the rapid growing
of industries some material like iron was available easily and then every space is then construct
with it. Everything is then revolved around human comfort and needs.

Conclusion

All these time period of cultures depicts the causes and reasons of changes in tangible heritage.
Cultural practices heavily influenced the society and hence transformed its heritage and
traditions accordingly. Moreover, these cultural heritages are resources of safeguarding and
showcasing the skills and workmanship of nations. It’s a common practice that society’s
practices and beliefs are the important reasons of the change in interiors.
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 8
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

References

Ambler, D. J. (n.d.). Roman architecture. Retrieved from khanacademy:

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/beginners-guide-
rome/a/roman-architecture
Ancient Greece. (2015, January 26). Retrieved from History of Interior design:
http://historyofinteriordesignsls.blogspot.com/2015/01/ancient-greece.html

BAROQUE ON A BINGE. (n.d.). Retrieved from Art History Timeline:

https://dereksarthistorytimeline.weebly.com/rococo.html

Chand, S. (n.d.). Cultural Change: Main Factors and Causes of Cultural Change. Retrieved from
yourarticlelibrary: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/culture/cultural-change-main-factors-and-causes-
of-cultural-change/23392

Cultural heritage. (2020, January 23). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_heritage

Griffith, M. (2015, November 30). Art history 101: what is trompe l’oeil? Retrieved from royalacademy:
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/art-history-101-trompe-loeil

Italian Renaissance Architecture. (n.d.). Retrieved from visual-arts-cork: http://www.visual-arts-

cork.com/architecture/renaissance.htm#palladio

Italian Renaissance interior design. (2019, october 13). Retrieved from wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Renaissance_interior_design

Italian Rococo interior design. (2019, Faburary 9). Retrieved from wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Rococo_interior_design

Juliao, D. (2003-2020). Modernist Furniture: History & Designers. Retrieved from study:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/modernist-furniture-history-designers.html

Juliao, D. (2003-2020). Renaissance Furniture: History & Style. Retrieved from study:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/renaissance-furniture-history-style.html

Magi Chapel. (2019, November 22). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magi_Chapel

Modernism. (2020, January 22). Retrieved from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modernism

Muscato, C. (2003-2020). Rococo Interior Design: Style & Elements. Retrieved from study:
https://study.com/academy/lesson/rococo-interior-design-style-elements.html

Palace of Versailles. (2020, January 15). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles

Palazzo Medici Riccardi. (2020, January 9). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Medici_Riccardi
 Cultural Heritage and Interiors 9
What causes the interiors to change due to intangible cultural aspects of society?

PANTHEON ROME – HISTORY & INTERESTING FACTS. (2005-2015). Retrieved from amoretravelguides:
https://www.amoretravelguides.com/blog/the-pantheon-in-rome-a-travelers-guide.php

Pantheon, Rome. (2020, January 23). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome

Parthenon. (2020, January 23). Retrieved from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parthenon

Renaissance to the end of the 18th century. (n.d.). Retrieved from encyclopedia britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/art/interior-design/Renaissance-to-the-end-of-the-18th-century

Rococo. (n.d.). Retrieved from lumen Boundless art history:

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-arthistory/chapter/rococo/

Rococo. (2020, January 15). Retrieved from wikepidia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rococo

sociocultural. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cambridge Dictionary:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sociocultural

Sociocultural system. (2019, april 28). Retrieved from wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociocultural_system

Tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage. (2014, November 27). Retrieved from RICHES RESOURCES:
https://resources.riches-project.eu/glossary/tangible-and-intangible-cultural-heritage/

The Rococo Art Movement That Dominated The Seventeenth & Eighteenth Century. (2019, August 7).
Retrieved from All That's Interesting: https://allthatsinteresting.com/rococo-art-movement

Trapasso, E. (2013, July 15). A Brief History of Rococo Art. Retrieved from artnet news:
https://news.artnet.com/market/a-brief-history-of-rococo-art-32790

Trompe l'oeil. (n.d.). Retrieved from encyclopedia britannica: https://www.britannica.com/art/trompe-

loeil

Trompe-l'œil. (2020, January 22). Retrieved from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trompe-

l%27%C5%93il

What is Cultural Heritage. (n.d.). Retrieved from CULTURE in DEVELOPMENT:

http://www.cultureindevelopment.nl/cultural_heritage/what_is_cultural_heritage

Zeuxis. (2019, faburary 13). Retrieved from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeuxis

Zimmermann, K. A. (2017, JULY 13). What Is Culture? Retrieved from LIVE SCIENCE:
https://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html